Serving Sheppard Air Force Base, the 82nd Training Wing, and Wichita Falls military families. Scott Carlin, 20-year Air Force veteran and VA loan specialist (NMLS# 2613509). Call 321-364-4461.
Wichita Falls is home to Sheppard Air Force Base, one of the largest technical training installations in the Air Education and Training Command. Sheppard hosts the 82nd Training Wing, which trains thousands of airmen each year in aircraft maintenance, avionics, missiles, civil engineering, and dozens of other career fields. The base is also home to the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT), the only joint pilot training program in the world, attracting student pilots and instructors from more than a dozen allied nations.
A VA loan is a mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and surviving spouses. VA loans offer zero down payment, no monthly mortgage insurance, competitive interest rates, and flexible credit requirements — benefits designed specifically to help those who have served.
Scott Carlin is a 20-year Air Force veteran, mortgage loan originator (NMLS# 2613509), and founder of TrueVet Mortgage. As a fellow airman, Scott has a personal connection to the Sheppard AFB community and helps military families throughout the Wichita Falls area navigate the VA loan process from pre-approval to closing — typically in 21 to 30 days.
Wichita Falls offers military families one of the most affordable housing markets near any active Air Force base in the country. Home prices are well below the national and Texas averages, and many Sheppard families find that their BAH covers their entire mortgage payment and then some.
Popular neighborhoods and communities for military families include Southwest Wichita Falls (closest to Sheppard AFB), Burkburnett, Iowa Park, the Kell West area, and Midwestern Parkway corridor. Southwest Wichita Falls is the most popular area for Sheppard families with the shortest commute to the base. Burkburnett, just north of the base, is a small community with affordable homes and a family-friendly atmosphere. Iowa Park to the west offers small-town living with good schools and easy access to Sheppard. The Kell West area provides newer construction and a growing commercial district.
The Wichita Falls economy is driven by Sheppard AFB, healthcare, manufacturing, and energy. Major employers beyond Sheppard include United Regional Health Care System, Midwestern State University, the Wichita Falls Independent School District, and oil and gas operations throughout North Texas. Texas has no state income tax, which stretches your paycheck and BAH further.
Wichita Falls has a strong sense of community pride in its military connection. The city regularly hosts events honoring service members, and local businesses are well accustomed to working with military families on PCS timelines and unique scheduling needs.
VA loans give Wichita Falls military homebuyers advantages that conventional loans simply cannot match. Key benefits include:
Zero down payment — buy a home in Wichita Falls with nothing down, keeping your savings intact for moving costs, furniture, or emergencies.
No monthly mortgage insurance — unlike conventional or FHA loans, VA loans never charge monthly mortgage insurance, saving you hundreds of dollars each month.
Competitive interest rates — VA loan rates are typically lower than conventional rates because the VA guaranty reduces lender risk.
Flexible credit requirements — VA loans are more forgiving of past credit challenges than most loan programs, making homeownership accessible to more veterans.
Assumable loans — if you sell your Wichita Falls home when you PCS, the buyer may be able to assume your VA loan at your original interest rate, which can be a major selling point in a high-rate market.
No prepayment penalty — pay off your VA loan early or make extra payments anytime without fees.
VA loans can be used for single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and multi-unit properties (up to four units) in Wichita Falls and the surrounding communities.
VA loan eligibility in Wichita Falls is based on your military service. You may qualify if you meet one of the following:
Active-duty service members who have served at least 90 continuous days.
Veterans who meet minimum active-duty service requirements based on when they served.
National Guard and Reserve members with at least six years of service or 90 days of active-duty service under federal orders.
Surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability, who have not remarried (or remarried after age 57).
To apply, you will need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which Scott can help you obtain — often within minutes. You will also need to meet basic income and credit requirements set by the lender, though VA loans are more flexible than conventional programs.
Whether you are stationed at Sheppard AFB, an ENJJPT instructor or student pilot, or a veteran who has settled in the Wichita Falls area, TrueVet Mortgage can help you determine your eligibility and get pre-approved.
TrueVet Mortgage was built by a veteran, for veterans. Scott Carlin is a 20-year Air Force veteran, VA loan specialist, and mortgage loan originator (NMLS# 2613509) who founded TrueVet Mortgage to give fellow service members the kind of mortgage experience they deserve – honest, informed, and built around the unique needs of military families.
As a VA loan lender with access to over 120 wholesale lenders, Scott works as your mortgage broker to find the best rate and terms – not as a mortgage company that locks you into one option. As an Air Force veteran himself, Scott has a personal understanding of what Sheppard families go through – whether it is a permanent party assignment or a training pipeline PCS. He understands the challenges of PCS moves, BAH-based budgeting, deployment timelines, and the urgency of finding a home in a new duty station area.
TrueVet Mortgage is licensed through Xpert Home Lending, Inc. (NMLS# 2179191) and serves veterans and military families across Florida and Texas. Scott handles every loan personally – no hand-offs, no call centers, and no surprises.
Call or text Scott Carlin at 321-364-4461, use the chat on this page, or visit our Schedule a Call page to get started with your Wichita Falls VA loan.
Can I use a VA loan to buy a home in Wichita Falls?
Yes. VA loans can be used to purchase a home anywhere in the Wichita Falls area, including Southwest Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Iowa Park, and the Kell West area. The home must be your primary residence.
Do I need a down payment for a VA loan in Wichita Falls?
No. VA loans require zero down payment regardless of the purchase price in Wichita Falls. This is one of the biggest advantages of the VA loan program.
How long does it take to close on a VA loan in Wichita Falls?
Most VA loans close in 21 to 30 days. Scott Carlin works closely with you throughout the process to keep everything on track and avoid delays.
Can I use my BAH to qualify for a VA loan?
Yes. Your Basic Allowance for Housing counts as qualifying income for a VA loan. Because BAH is tax-free, lenders can gross it up by 25%, increasing your buying power. Check your 2026 BAH rate for Sheppard AFB using our BAH Calculator.
I am PCSing to Sheppard AFB. Can I start the VA loan process before I arrive?
Yes. Scott regularly works with service members who are still at their current duty station. You can get pre-approved and start house hunting before your PCS, so you are ready to make an offer when you arrive in Wichita Falls.
I am an ENJJPT student pilot. Can I use a VA loan to buy a home?
If you are a U.S. military member assigned to ENJJPT and plan to be stationed at Sheppard long enough to justify a home purchase, a VA loan can be a smart option. Scott can help you evaluate whether buying makes sense based on your expected assignment length.
What if I have used my VA loan benefit before?
You can use your VA loan benefit more than once. If your previous VA loan has been paid off and you have restored your entitlement, you can use it again with zero down payment. Scott can help you check your remaining entitlement.
If you already own a home in Wichita Falls or the Sheppard AFB area with a VA loan, you may be able to lower your interest rate with the VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL), also known as the VA streamline refinance. The IRRRL requires minimal paperwork, no appraisal in most cases, and no out-of-pocket costs if the funding fee and closing costs are rolled into the new loan.
This is one of the fastest and simplest ways to reduce your monthly mortgage payment. Visit our VA IRRRL Streamline Refinance page to learn more about eligibility and how the process works.
TrueVet Mortgage also serves veterans across Texas, including San Antonio, Killeen, El Paso, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, Abilene, Wichita Falls, Del Rio, San Angelo, and Corpus Christi.
Visit our VA Loan FAQ for answers to common questions
Look up your 2026 BAH rate for any Texas military installation with our free BAH Calculator.
Ready to Buy a Home in Wichita Falls? Call or text Scott Carlin at 321-364-4461, use the chat on this page or visit our Schedule a Call page. As a 20-year Air Force veteran and VA loan specialist, Scott will guide you through every step of the process — from pre-approval to closing.